That's the word from Jessica Gilbank, the founder of independent auto shop Ms. Lube, who's just been slapped with a lawsuit by mega auto service centre company Mr. Lube.

Gilbank started her downtown Toronto-based all-female garage--the first in North America--to help more female mechanics penetrate this traditionally male-dominated industry.

But last November, after appearing on CBC's Dragon's Den by invitation, Gilbank was warned on air by judge Jim Treliving, co-owner of Mr. Lube, to watch out. On May 7, Mr. Lube issued a statement of claim accusing Gilbank of riding on the coattails of its company's success to attract customers. The automotive service giant, who has more than 100 outlets across Canada, is seeking $250,000 in punitive damages, and an injunction to prevent Ms. Lube from continuing to use its name and trademark.

"To me, this is ridiculous. I'm trying to attract women to the trade--that's actually why I went on the show--and if they're upset by our name, they need to get over it," Gilbank says. "I'm fighting this lawsuit on principle because I find it obnoxious, but also, because they don't really have a case by trademark law. They don't own the word "Lube", and our brand, couldn't be farther away from theirs."

Gilbank originally launched her garage, officially known as Ms. Lube by Mechanchik, in March 2009 to create a more hospitable and supportive auto maintenance and repair environment for female customers.

"Often going into a garage is like going into a black, greasy cave--it's intimidating, the mechanics don't speak any form of English most people would understand, and it's not comfortable, says Gilbank, a licensed auto and motorcycle mechanic who specializes in vintage cars. "After talking to my girlfriends, I realized every woman has a story relating to getting her car fixed that has cost them a lot of money; so I knew this was a good idea."

Gilbank says she was also seeking a career switch: while she'd landed a high-paying corporate communications job on Bay Street after studying business and politics at Western University, she wanted to return to the passion for automotive first cultivated by her dad, an auto insurance adjustor and car salesman.

She took a mechanics course at Durham College, got an apprenticeship, and finished the program at Centennial College. It was during her training that Gilbank realized her business idea wouldn't just be good for female customers, but also employees.

"There are so few women in this trade, and workplaces in this trade can be hostile to women, so I wanted to change that," she says.

Gilbank spent 12 years working in different automotive service technician jobs, for an independent autobody shop, Volvo and Mercedes--she became Mercedes' first licensed female technician in Canada.

When Gilbank opened her doors last year, she did so with a team of all-female ASTs or AST apprentices, whom she coaches to learn every aspect of the business.

"It's like a mechanic school. Everybody takes turns doing oil changes, fixing engines, and so forth. I like being able to help women find their way in this field," she says.

Also unique at Ms. Lube is a stylishly furnished yet comfortable waiting lounge with couches and a big-screen TV that's also used to offer self-defence and yoga classes for the community.

Lately, Gilbank has also been teaching in Centennial College's new all-female AST apprenticeship program--the first of its kind in the country--and will do so again this fall.

Business has been booming, with the shop attracting both women and men who report feeling more comfortable and confident with servicing their vehicles there.

However, Gilbank says the Mr. Lube lawsuit has cast a shadow on her prospects, and while she's heartened by the outpouring of support from customers, she worries about being able to sustain her new business.

"They're a large corporation with lots of money, and they can tie me up in this legal case and force me to spend money I don't have. You can only hang on for so long," says Gilbank, who's already spent $20,000 to defend her business. "It's 2010, for goodness' sake, it's not 1973 anymore. It's not just about Mr.--we have Miss., Mrs. and Ms. now."